Page 5 of Sapphire Flame
Terry continued to mumble her complaints. Same-old, same-old and boring as hell.
Natalie took deep breaths. She’d heard recently that in order to grow calm one had to take seven breaths, though she suspected given her state of mind, she’d probably need twenty.
She admitted she’d been less than patient lately. Something was going on with her, she just didn’t know what. She enjoyed an excellent seven-figure annual income from her work as a fae futurist, the name she preferred to ‘fortune teller’. For being confined to Five Bridges, she had a beautiful canal-side home, a lovely studio in a park-like setting and everything she could need.
When Terry paused in her whining, Natalie said, “Shall we begin?”
“Yes, yes. Of course. I almost forgot why I was here.”
No kidding. “Just relax.”
Natalie steeled herself to enter the future. She was grateful she earned a lot of money, because it hurt to bust open the secrets of what-was-to-come, or at least it did for her.
She took one final deep breath and prepared for the severe cramping she would experience all up and down her spine. The spasming of her muscles had just begun, when a ghost appeared next to her, though not within Terry’s view.
Natalie jumped.
The ghost, a woman, seemed disgruntled, like she had better things to do. She was a mass of vaporous, well-delineated lines that were in full color. She shoved her long blond hair behind her shoulders then crossed her arms over her chest as she met Natalie’s gaze.
Natalie had never had a ghost visit her before.
The woman reached for Natalie telepathically.You need to help my husband. He’s trying to save one of your kind. The woman got mauled or something. It’s bad.
The ghost vanished.
Natalie lifted a finger in protest. She needed more information. A location, for instance, would be useful.
Ghosts usually didn’t come to visit. That was Deadtalker territory. She was a Revel fae. She dealt with what was to come, not spirits who had passed.
Who was this ghost’s husband? And where was this event supposed to be taking place? “What the hell?”
Her words broke the trance. Her client said, “That was faster than usual. Did you see my dear hubs in the future? Should he invest in the start-up or not?”
“I didn’t see him.” Natalie hadn’t had time. She’d barely made the absurdly painful connection to the future when the apparition disrupted her concentration.
The ghost returned suddenly. With a roll of her eyes, she directed her thoughts once more to Natalie.My husband is battling three wolves in the Graveyard right where the canal ends. You know, that place where hell begins?She glanced off to the side, pensive.I think I died not far from there. Jesus.
The ghost gave herself a shake which sent the vapor trails moving across each other and disrupting the blond woman’s appearance. Natalie was surprised by the vivid colors she created: the dark blue of her jeans, the light blue of her eyes, the autumn gold of her hair. She wore it parted down the middle and straight. She wasn’t wearing shoes. Seemed like an outdoorsy, athletic type.
The ghost made a mental scoffing sound then telepathed,Why are you still here? If you don’t get the lead out, that woman’s going to die. She’s fae, like you. Doesn’t that mean anything? As I recall, you fae-types were all about Revel and nothing else.
Natalie’s turn to snort. As though the otheralterspecies didn’t put their territories first. Half the problem with the Five Bridges was how often the different species tangled based on territorial loyalty alone.
She could admit, however, that she was no different. She responded telepathically to the ghost.I take it I’m headed to the small access bridge at the edge of the Graveyard.
That’s right. And in case you’re wondering, my husband is important to Five Bridges. He needs to unseat Kryder. That bastard’s a real psycho.
Natalie knew about the alpha of the Meldorin Pack. He had one of the worst reputations in Savage.
The ghost continued,In case you’re wondering the woman in the Graveyard stopped screaming a good minute ago.She wrinkled her ghostly nose.A lot of blood. I forgot how visceral this world is.
Natalie had lived in Five Bridges long enough to know the ghost was serious about the timeline. If the woman’s husband, whoever he might prove to be, was battling rogue wolves in the Graveyard, then she needed to get her butt over there.
Natalie nodded.On my way.
‘Bout time. Good luck.The facetious tone of the latter remark didn’t give Natalie much hope. But she’d do what she could, for a fae-sister, just as her visitor had said.
Once more the ghost disappeared.
